History

Preface

MGSN is a public charitable trust registered under Jt.Charity Commisioner, Pune. Institution was founded immediately after assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. In the beginning it was in the form of registered society which had All India jurisdiction. Trusts were formed in each state afterward. One trust in each state of India which would manage all the activities of Institutions founded after the demise of Mahatma Gandhi. It was expected that these newly formed trusts would shoulder the responsibility of guarding properties of Gandhian Institutes and ensure efficient working under one umbrella. Aims and objects of the every provincial trust were same i.e. to propagate Gandhian thoughts and values in the society at large in that particular State.

MGSN has head office in Pune which is very active. Branches of the MGSN are active in Nagpur and Aurangabad cities.

A branch office of Gandhi Smarak Nidhi was founded in Maharashtra by Mamasaheb devgirikar who was the president of Maharashtra Congress at that time. He resigned from congress party and became president of State branch of Gandhi Smarak Nidhi which was founded immediately after assassination of Mahatma Gandhi.He devoted his life to this Institution by remaining bachelor throughout his life. After policy of decentralization he became president of newly formed Maharashtra Gandhi Smarak Nidhi i.e MGSN. Institute works through collaborative partnership with Government and non-government institutions to promote national unity and international peace by cherishing Gandhian principals. Institution believes in continuous need for introducing Gandhian values and ethics in the society at large and especially in youth with innovative ways keeping in mind their growing global acceptance. Institution is actively involved in disseminating literature written by Mahatma Gandhiji himself and other auther who wrote about him. MGSN has contributed in educating, promoting and executing the sanitation and biogas programs in Maharashtra. Building of toilets in rural area was priority of MGSN. It has also taken initiative in the area of child development and women empowerment, prohibition programme, promotion of small scale industries and in renewable and alternative energy. We are committed to invigorate Mahatma Gandhiji’s thoughts on non -violence, secularism and Satyagraha. MGSN aims at creation of society which is more peaceful and more sustainable. MGSN aims at keeping Gandhiji alive in spirit. In turbulent times in the nation and the world he is needed most.

Father of Nation – Mahatma Gandhi

On the occasion of Mahatma Gandhi’s 70th birthday. “Generations to come, it may well be, will scarcely believe that such a man as this one ever in flesh and blood walked upon this Earth.” ― Albert Einstein

The great scientist used to admire Gandhiji for his teachings of non-violence.
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was titled as ‘Mahatma’ by the Noble writer Shri. Ravindranath Tagore.
Bapuji was titled as ‘Father of Nation’ by the great freedom fighter Shri. Subhashchandra Bose who was known by Indian people as Netaji.

Truth and Non-violence are profound ideas and great values of Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhiji was scrupulously trying to implement his idea of non-violence movement against British Rule. At the time of nationwide movement of boycotting british goods in Chouri Chaura the angry protesters killed policemen. Gandhi as leader withdrew that movement and condemned violence by the people. To condemn followers needs great courage. He declared that he does not want independence through violence. This incidence sent strong message to world and later on became the basis and soul of the Indian freedom struggle. Today whole world is suffering from violence around. Under these circumstances Gandhiji’s principle of non-violence is becoming more and more relevant globally. This has created urgency of teaching of Mahatma which may liberate human race from hatred and make this planet worth living.

Historical Background

Mahatma Gandhi, Father of nation, was assassinated on 30 th January 1948. It was tragic day which shook the entire nation and the world. After assassination of Gandhiji in 1948, Indian leaders, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Saradar Vallabhbhai Patel, Dr. C. Rajgopalachari, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Babu Jagjivan Ram and others met in Gandhi Ashram, Sevagram Wardha. After long discussion they founded an Institute viz. Gandhi Smarak Nidhi. It was a registered Society. This meeting was held under chairmanship of Dr. Rajendra Prasad. It was decided to cherish and propagate Gandhian thoughts and his ideology among the people by publishing his writings and teachings. Gandhi Smarak Nidhi’s activities were started in various States of India. Properties were purchased for fulfilling the objectives of Gandhi Smarak Nidhi by local activists and freedom fighters. Policy of decentralization of the registered Society (Gandhi Smarak Nidhi) was adopted with a purpose to protect Properties belonging to every State.

Accordingly, independent Trusts were formed in every State having an autonomous status. It was also decided to add the name of particular State as an adjective before the name of the new trust, e.g. Maharashtra Gandhi Smarak Nidhi in Maharashtra State or Karnataka Gandhi Smarak Nidhi in Karnataka State.

Shri Mamasaheb Deogirikar, a well known personality of Pune city and ardent follower of Mahatma Gandhi became the first President of ‘Maharashtra Gandhi Smarak Nidhi’ (MGSN). The Institute founded with new name and registered on 14 th October, 1962 as a Public Charitable Trust in Pune. Shri Mamasaheb Deogirikar constructed a nice building known as Gandhi Bhavan in the premises of MGSN, wherein the head office of the Institute has been established. The branches of MGSN have been established in Aurangabad, Nagpur in Maharashtra State.

After demise of Shri. Mamasaheb Deogirikar in 1975 Shri. Balasaheb Bharade former Speaker of Maharashtra Assembly accepted responsibility of the institute and become President of MGSN. He carried forward activities of the Institute and expanded them by adding many new programs. Shri. Balasaheb Bharade passed away in November 2006.

A renowned Gandhian and a socialist leader Dr. Kumar Saptarshi (Ex MLA) succeeded Shri. Balasaheb Bharade as the President of MGSN Dec.2006. He further developed the Institute and started many new activities in tune with the changing times and context. Various activities like Learning Home, Creches, special programs for Women Empowerment, Shanti Dal, Mini Theatre for exhibition of various films and so on. A novel activity of encouraging the youngsters to undertake Yatras or Marchs on bicycles in various parts of the world with a view to spread Gandhiji’s message of non-violence, equality among human race, communal harmony and protection of environment.

Since its inception MGSN has been continuously working to promote the Gandhian thoughts and thus enlighten youth by organizing workshops, personality development programs and interactive lectures on various occasions. Besides, a special week viz. Rashtrapita Mahatma Gandhi Saptah is celebrated every year from October 1 st to 7 th since 2010. Manifold activities and programs are organized during this week in order to create and spread awareness about the relevance of Mahatma Gandhi’s life and message in present context. The Rastrapita Mahatma Gandhi Saptah has become an inseparable part of Pune city’s cultural and social life.

First President of MGS Nidhi

Mamasaheb Devgirikar

MGS Nidhi was registered in 1962 by Mamasaheb Devgirikar who also became the first President of this independent institution.To begin with the pressing issues and problems of that time were considered on priority and action was taken with the initiative of Mamasaheb Devgirikar. During the period of Mamasaheb Devgirikar sanitation project(toilets) and bio gas was implemented with the help of Kokan Gandhi, Appasaheb Patwardhn. Mamasaheb Devgirikar passed away on 27 July 1975.

Second President of MGS Nidhi

Balasaheb Bharade

Balasaheb Bharade took over as the second President of MGS Nidhi. Balasaheb Bharade, who had already worked as a Minister and Speaker of State Assembly, has also led several social welfare organizations like Khadi Gramodhyog, Harijan Seva Sangh and alcohol prohibition, among others.He focussed on promoting cottage industries and also developed an industrial estate to encourage small scale entrepreneurs. Balasaheb Bharade passed away on 22 November 2006.